Picture-exhibitor



C. W'. LINDB'LAD-E; PICTURE EXHIBITOR. Y

v3 Sheeig sheet 2' (NQ Model.)

Patentedlvov. 1-2

III

UNITED STATES Y oIIAELEs w. LINDBLADE,

or RooKEoRD, ILLINOIS.

PICTURE-EXHIBITOR.

SPECIFICATION forming' part of Letters Patent No. 549,574, dated November 12, 1895.

Application led March l, 1895.

To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, CHARLES WV. LIND- BLADE, a citizen of the United States, residing at Rockford, in the county of Winnebago and State of Illinois, have invented new and useful Improvements in Picture-Exhibitors, of which the following is a specification.

The object of this invention is to construct a picture-exhibitor in which two compartments are employed, each containing pictures and means for moving a picture from each compartment simultaneously into the other compartment in order that all of the pictures facing one way may be seen from one face of the exhibitor and those facing in the opposite direction from the other face.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure l is an isometrical representation of my improved picture-exhibitor, in which portions have been broken away to more clearly show its construction. Fig. 2 is an elevation showing the pivotal connection between the base and upper case. Fig. 3 is an isometrical representation of the upper portion of the exhibitor in section on the plane of the top of the picture-holders. Fig. et is an isometrical representation of the under face of the upper case, in which aportion of the outside case is broken away. Fig. 5 is a partial section of the lower portion of the upper case, showing the gravity-dog. Fig. 6 is an isometrical representation of the base portion of the upper case between the center and top bottoms7 showing the mechanism for carrying the picture-holders transverse of the compartments. Fig. 7 is an isometrical representation of one of the picture-holders. Figs. 8, 9, 10, and 1l are detail views of the picture-holder.

rlhe case for containing the picture-holders is of rectangular form and composed of the sides l and ends 2, the sides having openings within which are placed glass and the ends having similar openings supporting mirrors. A base of this case is composed of the sides 3 and ends 4. Within this base portion is secured a central bottom 5, provided with a lengthwise groove or opening G along each side. This bottom is located some distance from the lower edge of the base. As the mechanism for moving the holders from One compartment into th'e other compartment serial No. 540,149. (Nov moan.)

is of duplicate construction, I will describe one set.

In the lengthwise groove is located a sliding block 7, having a horizontal projection 8, extending inwardand located on the upper surface of t'he center bottom. A hook 9 is secured to the upper face of this block, and to this block is secured a knob or handle l0, extending through an elongated opening 1l in the sides 3. To the upper face of this center bottom 5 is pivoted an arm for moving the picture-holders transverse of the compartment, and consists of arod l2, extending transverse of the compartment, having a rightangle branch 13, and at their junction forming a loop, through which a screw 14 is passed into the bottom forming a pivotal connection therewith. rThe-end of this right-angle branch terminates in a vertical extension 15, and thence extends diagonally to the main portion, forming a brace 16. A branch 17 extends in the lengthwise direction of the case, thence by a diagonal portion toward the side of the case, thence in the Ilengthwise direction of the case, terminating in a right-angle bend 19. By moving the block 7 in the lengthwise direction of the slot 6 the extension S'will come in contact with the diagonal portion 1S of the arm, causing the arm to move upon its pivotal connection until its vertical extension enters the opening 20 in the side of the case. Upon the return movement of the block it will engage the rod l2, at which point the other branches unite, carrying the arm to its normal or original position. This movement of the arm will take place at each movement of the block. To the under face of the center bottom 5 is secured the mechanism for connecting the movable blocks 7, and consists of the sliding blocks, a corresponding movement will be imparted to the other block through this lever-and-link connection.

Upon supports 25, placed upon the upper IDO surface of the centerbottom, is located a support 26 for the picture-holders, having curved openings 27, permitting the vertical extension 15 of the arm to move therein, and a partition-strip 2S is located diagonally across the support, which, in connection with a similarly-arranged strip 30, located at the top, separates the case into two compartments. A passage-way 3l is formed at the ends of the strips, which are beveled, flaring from one side.

The picture-holder is shown at Figs. 7, S, 9, l0, and il, and consists of vertical side rails 32, joined at their lower ends by a bottom rail 33. These rails are provided with a groove 3i on their inner edges, extending in their lengthwise direction. A brace 35 is let in i'lush with the face of the frame and extends diagonally across the lower corners of the side and bottom rails and secured in position, by means of which the rails are held at right angles and in a rigid manner. An upper rail 36 is provided with a lengthwise groove on its lower edge and has tenons 37, extending in the lengthwise groove of the rails 32.

The pictures are placed back to back and located in the groove of the frame, and the top rail, placed in position, holds the upper ends of the pictures. At Fig. 1l I have shown a cross-rail provided with a groove 3S in its lengthwise direction on both upper and lower faces, and has tenons 39. By employing this rail two sets of pictures can be held by the frame, as the groove on the under face holds the upper ends of the lower pictures and the groove in its upper face holds the lower ends of the upper pictures and the top rail will hold the upper ends of the upper pictures. If the pictures are shorter than the frame, the upper rail can be moved down, as shown in dotted lines, Fig. 7. The upper portion of the side rails 32 of the pictureholders are beveled, as shown.

The two compartments are filled with the picture-holders, as shown at Fig. 3, and when the mechanism for operating them is in the position shown in the drawings movement may be imparted to the holders.

The hooks 9 when in their normal position are outside of the picture-holders. By moving one of the blocks a like movement will be imparted to the other block. A movement of the block in the lengthwise direction of the case causes the hook of that block to engage the picture-holder lying in its path,car rying it through the opening between the compartments into the other compartment. The upper end of the holder will come in contact with the incline lO, which will carry its upper end inward. Upon moving the block to its starting position the vertical extension l5 of the arm will come in contact with the lower rail of the holder, carrying it and all other holders in that compartment to the opposite side of the compartment a suthcient distance to allow the entrance of a new holder from the other compartment, and also presenting a holder of that compartment before the opening in the partition to be operated upon by the next movement of the hook. The movements oi. the extension 15 and hook are so timed that the extension will retract into the opening 20, in order that the holder being moved into that compartment will pass between the extension and the other holder in that compartment. It is understood that a holder is moved from each compartment into the other compartment at the same time. By having the partition located diagonally across the case should the holders not be moved the same distance the incline of the partition will shift them in proper position to be operated upon.

It has been demonstrated that the operator of the exhibitor sometimes fails to complete the movement of the blocks and thus crowds the holder, so that they fail to operate, and to compel a complete movement of the block in either direction I have provided a dog 4l, shown at Figs. 4 and 5, which has a pivotal connection with one ot' the blocks and depends therefrom. Abar 42 is secured to the side 3 in the path of this dog. As the block is moved the dog will be drawn over the bar, and when the movement of the block is completed it will drop oit' the other end of the bar, and upon the return of the block it will be again drawn over the bar, the dog being longer than the distance between its pivot and the bar 42. Should an attempt be made to reverse the movement of the block before the dog has dropped off the end oi the bar, the dog will, by frietional contact with the bar, prevent such movement. The upper surface of the bar in this instance is covered with an elastic material,which seems to form a better contact with the dog.

A bottom 43 is located in the lower end of the case and has a pivotal connection with the base 4i. A spring-bar 45 is secured to the base, and pins etti, depending from the case, willengage the spring. By depressing the spring the pin is released and the case rotated in order that the pictures may be seen through the opposite side of the case.

I claim as my inventionl. In a picture exhibitor of the class herein shown and described, picture holders therefor, consisting of two vert-ical side rails anda bottom rail grooved in their lengthwise direction on their inner edges, a removable top rail guided in the grooves of the side rails having its under edge grooved in its lengthwise direction, each of the side rails having a porN tion of their length beveled.

2. In a picture exhibitor ofthe class herein shown and described, picture holders therefor consisting of two vertical side rails and a bottom rail having a corner brace grooved in their lengthwise direction on. their inner edges and a removable top rail held in place by the side rails and grooved in its under face.

3. In a picture exhibitor, a case divided by a vertical partition into two compartments IOO IIO

having a passage Way at each end, picture holders located in the compartments, and means for moving the holders from one compartment into the other compartment, and means connected With the moving means preventing a retracting movement of the moving means before the holders have been properly deposited in their respective compartments.

4. In a picture exhibitor, a case divided by a vertical partition into tWo compartments having a passage Way at each end, a block for each compartment capable of a sliding movement7 means connecting the blocks, a dog carried by one of the blocks and a bar lying in the path of the dog.

5. In a picture exhibitor, a case divided by CHARLES W. LlNDBLADE.

Witnesses:

A. O. BEHEL, E. BEHEL. 

